Scaffolding Accident Claims

In most cases, the Principal Contractor has overall responsibility for health and safety on a construction site under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM). This includes ensuring scaffolding is safely designed, erected, inspected, and maintained.

However, responsibility can sometimes be shared between multiple parties, such as subcontractors or scaffolding companies. Our solicitors will investigate the site arrangements, contracts, and safety records to identify who is legally responsible and ensure the correct insurer is pursued, even when several companies were involved.

Yes. While you have a duty to look after your own safety, your employer must enforce the rules. If you weren’t wearing PPE, you might be found “contributorily negligent” (partially at fault), which could reduce your compensation slightly, but it does not stop you from claiming if the main cause of the accident was the site’s unsafe condition.

Yes, you may still be able to make a claim. Employers and site managers are required to assess weather-related risks as part of their safety planning. This includes securing scaffolding, carrying out additional inspections after adverse weather, and stopping work if conditions become unsafe.

If a scaffold collapsed because it was not properly secured, inspected, or taken out of use during strong winds or heavy rain, this may amount to negligence and give rise to a valid claim.

This is a common fear, but blacklisting is illegal. It is unlawful for employers to discriminate against you for making a legitimate personal injury claim. Most claims are handled by insurance companies, not the site owners directly.

Yes. Even if your payment arrangement was informal, your employer still had a duty of care to keep you safe while you were working for them. We can still help you make a claim.

We handle all construction accident claims on a No Win No Fee basis. This means there is no financial risk to you. There are no upfront fees. If we win your claim, we are paid a pre-agreed percentage of the compensation you receive. If your claim is unsuccessful, you pay us nothing.

The time it takes to resolve a scaffolding accident claim depends on the complexity of the case and the severity of the injuries. Straightforward claims where liability is admitted can sometimes settle within several months.

More serious injury claims may take longer, as it is important to understand the full extent of the injuries and any long-term effects before finalising compensation. This ensures your claim properly reflects future care, rehabilitation, and financial needs.

Recording the accident in the site accident book is helpful, but it is not essential to making a claim. Many accidents are not recorded at the time, particularly if the injured person was taken straight to the hospital.

If there is no accident book entry, we can rely on other forms of evidence, such as medical records, witness statements, photographs of the scene, CCTV footage, and site safety documentation to prove how the accident occurred.

It is unlawful for an employer to dismiss or treat you unfairly for making a legitimate personal injury claim. Employers are legally required to carry insurance specifically to cover workplace injury claims, and compensation is paid by insurers, not directly by your employer.

If you are concerned about how making a claim might affect your employment, our team can explain your rights and support you throughout the process.